BEDMINSTER, N.J. -- Patience is the key word for Mike Ballo Jr. on the golf course these days and it's one of the main reasons why he's exactly where he wants to be heading into the third and final round of the 99th Met Open: atop the leaderboard.

Ballo was a birdie machine Wednesday, registering seven birdies to go along with nine pars.

"I thought I played great today, I only made two loose swings the whole round," said Ballo, a St. John's graduate. "I finished birdie-birdie after a bogey on 16, which was a great way to finish."

Ballo, who finished second at the 2012 Met Open, knows the significance of being in his position.

"It's great to be in contention on the last day, that's always your objective," said Ballo, who shot a 5-under 67 Wednesday. "I'm not taking today's round for granted. This course is extremely difficult, so you really had to stay patient."

Ballo began his round by sinking a birdie putt on the par-5 515-yard first hole and the par-4 second hole. He also recorded birdies on 10, 11, 15, 17 and 18.

"All you can do is give yourself a chance to remain in contention for the final round and I did that today," Ballo said. "On a course like this you have to stay patient, take what the course gives you and stay in control of your emotions. That's what I tried to do all day -- pay attention to staying patient."

Gilmore, a Bethel resident, tallied eight birdies and nine pars. He won the Met Open title in 2000.

"I haven't been in this position in such a long time, it feels great," Gilmore said. "I just have to keep my poise out there and remain relaxed."

He started his day by birdying the first and second holes.

"It always feels good when you birdie the first two holes," Gilmore said. "It gives you momentum and keeps you a little more relaxed. This is my type of golf course, where you can really drive most of the holes."

Gaffney made an eagle on the 18th hole, while shooting a 2-under 70 Wednesday.

"Overall, I'm happy with my first two rounds," Gaffney said. "I'm toward the front of the field, so hopefully I can finish strong and catch the guys in front of me."

Wilson, a Stanford 1and St. Luke's graduate, is tied for sixth after shooting an even-par 72, while Brian Lamberti of Richter Park Golf Course is ninth with a 142 (71-71). Frank Bensel of Fairfield (143), Greenwich's David Pastore (145) Jerry Courville (Shorehaven, 146) and Peter Ballo of Woodway (148) made the cut.

"I got off to a bad start, I doubled my second hole and made another bogey, so like yesterday I was 3-over again," Pastore said. "But I was 3-over in the first round and made a few birdies coming back, so I tried to tell myself I can make some birdies to get it back."

The Greenwich High and Virginia graduate, had birdies on 9, 10, 11 and 13 to get to 1-under for the day.

"I could have shot lower, but I had a lot of putts that lipped out. This was similar to the first round. The good shots I didn't get much out of and the bad shots cost me."